We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Half Day Small-Group Kyoto Cultural Tour

Get an orientation to Kyoto's culture in half a day; a difficult feat to accomplish independently

Walking tour includes transportation between disparate sites

Included entry to the must-see Tofukuji Temple

Small group ensures close attention from the guide and ability to ask questions

More

Half Day Small-Group Kyoto Cultural Tour

From US$52.17

Check Availability

Overview

What to Expect

Important Information

Reviews

Q&A

Related Activities

Select Date and Travellers

Date

Travellers

Tour options (1)

Half Day Small-Group Kyoto Cultural Tour

From US$52.17

Low Price Guarantee

Overview

Learn about Kyoto’s history and culture in just a half day on this guided cultural walking tour. Guided commentary allows you to delve deep into the history of Japan’s former imperial city while visiting the Tofukuji Temple, Fushimi Inarii Shrine, and Gion Geisha district, which would be difficult to visit independently in the same time frame. The small-group size means you can wander down back roads you wouldn't necessarily find on your own, and snacks and entrance fees are included.

Meet your guide and small group in the afternoon at Kyoto station, then set off on foot through the center of Kyoto. This comprehensive tour with a guide gives an overview of the city, visiting three of its most important landmarks in just an afternoon of walking. The tour’s small-group size ensures an intimate atmosphere and plentiful chances to question your guide about Kyoto’s culture and traditions.

The tour’s first stop is the 13th-century Zen Tofukuji Temple, home to lush gardens and a functioning Zen Buddhist monastery. Learn about the long history of the temple and its status as one of Kyoto’s five most important religious monuments from your guide, before walking to the Fushimi Inari Shrine on the city’s outskirts. Take in the oft-photographed red gates—set against the densely forested hillside—that were featured in the popular film Memoirs of a Geisha, and be sure to snap a picture or two of your own. Your guide will lead you to the site’s often-overlooked smaller monuments and numerous statues of foxes, who are though to be the messengers of Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

The last stop of the day is the Gion District, where you'll often find the city’s geishas, or Japanese hostesses trained to entertain men. Learn about the often-misunderstood tradition of geishas and difference between geishas and their assistants from your guide, and keep an eye out for these elegantly dressed women making their way between the neighborhood’s tea houses.

My husband and I booked this tour last minute as we wanted to gain some local knowledge of the stunning Kyoto. We had ten in our tour group and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable (excellent English) and made the tour very relaxed yet informative. It...More

1 Thank thetravelsofSilky

VentureJapan, Manager at Kyoto Urban Adventures, responded to this reviewResponded 4 days ago

Thank you very much for your review. It was our pleasure to guide you around Kyoto. We am glad you loved the culture and enjoyed the day and the suggestions and the great style of leading in the area the team know well. Looking forward...More

Kyles and Stu k

1

Reviewed 1 week ago

Kyoto Tour with Yuta

What a wonderful way to see the wonderful Kyoto with a local guide and a great English speaking at that Yuta. Not only did he provide us with details of all the areas visited, he provided us a little free time to wonder and ask...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Kyles and Stu k

philipg795

53

Reviewed 1 week ago

A great introduction to Kyoto

Our family of four (including two young-adult children) spent half a day with Yuta, cycling around Kyoto, along the main river, taking in the Heian Shrine, Nanzenji Bhuddist temple, the path of philosophy and the backstreets of Miyagawa-cho (Geisha district). We are big fans of...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank philipg795

benvawdrey

Geelong, Australia

6

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Awesome tour!

This was our last day in Kyoto and boy what a day! Our tour guide Yuta was awesome! Very friendly and extremely good English (having spent time living in Canada and Australia) we had an awesome group of people in our tour which encouraged us...More

Thank benvawdrey

suzyQoo

Wollongong, Australia

114

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Great walking tour of Kyoto

Thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Kohei , a walking tour for 3 and 1/2 hours. Met at Kyoto-Shi Station and travelled out to Tofukuji temple, a Zen Buddhist temple, walked on to Inari Shinto shrine, and trained back to the old Gino district. Everywhere we...More